2022 Illinois Tax Rebates Explained

Illinois state quarter — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Two Illinois tax rebates were available during 2022 – an individual income tax rebate and a property tax rebate. (Those one-time payments have sometimes been referred to as Illinois "stimulus checks").

The state started sending rebates of up to $700 in September of last year, but the state has said that it could take months to process and deliver payments for the estimated six million recipients. So, don't panic if you qualify for a rebate but still haven't received your money. Instead, go online to check the status of your Illinois tax rebate – your payment may be on the way.

States Sending Stimulus Checks

Illinois Tax Rebate Program 2022

How Illinois tax rebates are sent depends on whether and how you received a tax refund on your 2021 Illinois income tax return. If you got a refund, your rebate will be paid in the same manner as your refund – either by direct deposit or a paper check in the mail. If you didn't receive a refund, then a paper rebate check will be sent to the address listed on your tax return. (Paper checks will take longer to deliver.)

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Other states are sending rebates, refunds, and other "stimulus" payments in 2022, too. This includes other highly-populated states like California, New York, and Virginia. And, like Illinois, several states continue to send stimulus payments.

The state payments generally aren't as much as the federal stimulus checks paid out in 2020 and 2021, but they can still provide a much need infusion of cash for families still dealing with high inflation. And the funds typically come from budget surpluses or COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government.

[For details about Illinois taxes can be found in the Illinois State Tax Guide.]

Illinois Income Tax Rebates

To qualify for the Illinois income tax rebate, you had to be an Illinois resident in 2021 and the adjusted gross income on your 2021 Illinois tax return must be under $200,000 (under $400,000 for joint filers). The size of your income tax rebate depends on your filing status and the number of dependents claimed on your 2021 Illinois tax return. Each qualifying person gets $50 ($100 for married couple who filed a joint return), plus $100 per dependent for up to three dependents. So, for example, a qualified married couple with three children will get a $400 income tax rebate. If you add on a $300 property tax rebate, they could get as much as $700.

You also had to file your 2021 Illinois income tax return – with Schedule IL-E/EIC if you have dependents – by October 17.

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Illinois Property Tax Rebates

The 2022 Illinois property tax rebate is equal to the property tax credit claimed on your 2021 Illinois tax return, up to a maximum of $300. To qualify for the rebate, you must be an Illinois resident who paid state property taxes in 2021 on your primary residence for 2020. In addition, the adjusted gross income reported on your 2021 Illinois tax return can't exceed $250,000 ($500,000 if you're married and filed a joint return).

How to Appeal Your Property Tax Bill

You also had to file your 2021 Illinois income tax return (Form IL-1040) – with a claim for the property tax credit on Line 16 and Schedule ICR attached – by October 17, 2022, to get an automatic property tax rebate. If you didn't file Form IL-1040 and Schedule ICR, then you had to submit a property tax rebate form (Form IL-1040-PTR) by October 17.

Tracking the Status of Illinois Tax Rebates

If you qualify for one or both of the Illinois tax rebates, but you're still waiting for your money to arrive, you can check the status of your payment using the "Where's My Rebate?" tool on the Illinois Department of Revenue's website (look for the "Where's My Rebate?" link).

To use the online tool, you'll need to provide your:

Name;
Social Security number or taxpayer identification number (ITIN); and
Adjusted gross income as reported on your 2021 Illinois income tax return or property tax rebate form, or your Illinois PIN number.

If you filed a joint Illinois income tax return with your spouse, try using the information for your spouse if you don't get a response using your information.

You can also call the Department of Revenue (800-732-8866 or 217-782-3336) or email them (REV.TA-IIT@illinois.gov) to get a rebate status report.

State-by-State Guide to Taxes on Middle-Class Families

Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.